previously done before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously done before" is not correct due to redundancy.
You can use it when referring to something that has already been completed in the past, but it is better to avoid the phrase as it is repetitive. Example: "The task was previously done before the deadline, showcasing the team's efficiency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We undertook a before and after evaluation, not previously done before, of tailored multi-faceted implementation of a BMP into intensive care on clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, role perception and behaviour intentions related to three specific bowel management practices.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Trump had previously done this once before, but it's clearly not a part of the job that he relishes, like pretending to drive trucks, or signing memos while being photographed.

Vice

It had previously done so only in the quarter before Christmas, when Chinese GDP is always seasonally high.Since China's population is ten times greater than Japan's, this moment always seemed destined to arrive.

The Economist

Before a sell-out crowd, the Jamaican ran nine hundredths of a second quicker than he had previously done this year.

BBC

He previously did it before with the death of Helen Flynn in "Looking After Our Own", but "Love and Death" did this in the point of view of the killer, not the victim.

Wikipedia

What did you do before?

The New York Times

What they did before?

The Gerontologist

Chris Coleman is confident Gareth Bale will back up his claim that Wales are more patriotic than England with an impressive display in Thursday's Group B game, the coach pointing to him previously doing so when stating before the 2014 Champions League final that none of Atlético Madrid's players would get into the Real Madrid side.

The Guardian - Sport

Creating value that previously did not exist.

Forbes

Previously: Do I Milk Him?

Vice

PREVIOUSLY: Do you hate the word "moist"?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundant phrasing: Instead of "previously done before", choose concise alternatives like "already completed" or "previously accomplished" to improve clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Be aware of using redundant terms. The word "previously" already implies something done before, so using "done before" with "previously" is repetitive and should be avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously done before" functions as a descriptive modifier, but its usage is considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy, as noted by Ludwig. The word “previously” already implies that the action was completed at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "previously done before" is considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. As Ludwig points out, the inclusion of both "previously" and "before" is unnecessary since "previously" already implies that the action occurred at an earlier time. While it may occasionally appear in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's advisable to opt for more concise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "already completed" or "previously accomplished". Avoiding such redundancies enhances clarity and strengthens communication in both formal and informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression does not follow standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already completed

Focuses on the state of being finished, avoiding the redundancy.

previously accomplished

Uses a more formal term for 'done', implying a successful completion in the past.

done in the past

Directly indicates the action occurred at some earlier time.

previously executed

Implies a planned and carried-out action, often in a formal context.

formerly carried out

Highlights the action as something that was performed at an earlier time, but not anymore.

earlier completed

Emphasizes the time frame in which the action was finalized.

previously finalized

Suggests the action was brought to an end at a prior point in time.

already actioned

Emphasizes that something was acted upon and completed before now.

previously performed

A more formal alternative to 'done', indicating the execution of a task.

previously underway

Indicates the action started at an earlier time.

FAQs

Is the phrase "previously done before" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "previously done before" is considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. "Previously" already implies that something was done before, making "done before" unnecessary. Using either "previously done" or "done before" is sufficient.

What are some alternatives to "previously done before"?

You can use alternatives such as "already completed", "previously accomplished", or "done in the past" to avoid redundancy.

How can I avoid using redundant phrases like "previously done before"?

Pay attention to the meaning of each word you use. If one word already implies the meaning of another word in the phrase, it's likely redundant. In this case, "previously" inherently means "before", so using both together is unnecessary.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "previously done before"?

While not grammatically ideal, you might encounter "previously done before" in informal writing or speech where precision isn't prioritized. However, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts. Examples found by Ludwig suggest it appears in diverse contexts from news to science, but its correctness is disputed.